Peace Arch News
By Tracy Holmes
Staff Reporter
Oct 10 2006

A South Surrey’s animal shelter is in danger of closing its doors – again.

Rainforest Reptile Refuge’s Paul Springate said Monday a funding crunch and waning public interest in the 176 Street facility may mean disaster for the 300 animals in his care.

“It’s a really hard time for us,” Springate said.

“I don’t think people have any kind of reality grasp of the spectrum of the problem here.”

Springate has operated the refuge since August 2003. It’s home to caymans, turtles, iguanas, boa constrictors, pythons, and dozens other animals – many arrived injured or sick, and all abandoned by people who bought into the novelty of owning an exotic pet.

Springate said it costs $5,000 a month to run the facility. That includes food for animals, utilities and maintenance.

And he takes no salary.

Donations have dwindled and are nowhere near meeting costs. Without a long-term funding commitment, Springate said there’s only enough left to carry them through November.

“October is paid for. We figure we’ve got the rent (for November), but we are screwed,” he said.

“There’s no money.”

Springate said the situation is particularly frustrating because no laws prevent possession of exotic animals.

Surrey passed a bylaw in 2003 banning the sale and purchase of exotic animals including caymans, sea turtles and alligators. It includes any reptiles that grow more than a metre long and snakes that exceed two metres.

But there’s nothing blocking people from owning such animals, and Springate said one law does little without the other.

He’s frustrated by those who expect to drop off exotic pets at the refuge without consideration of the society’s long-term cost of care. Springate said most people shrug off giving even $20 with their unwanted pet.

Despite the number of animals, Springate defends the refuge’s no-kill, no adoption policy.

“These animals did nothing wrong, why should they die?” he said.

Yet if if things don’t change, that may be the only option.

“Unless a miracle happens, I’d rather see all these animals euthanized than sold to people again.

“I just hope it doesn’t come to that.”

For information, call 604-538-1711.